The average gradient for Coachhouse Drv/Woodland Way is a bit deceptive. There are sections were it levels off a bit to only 5% I think. The last kick is above 20% is what makes it really hard. Harder than Old Belair Road in my opinion. My best time up there is 13:44 but that was 2 years ago. Haven't done Old Belair since then as well.

Gee, I need to get riding more, all these rides are great. When training for TDU last year, it was up Gorge Rd, Tippett Rd across to Checkers Hill, and return via Gumeracha, Gorge Rd and then Torrens Hill and Ansteys Hill descent. Not sure on numbers but jelly legs by home. A demanding 75km loop for me.

Sumichino wrote:The average gradient for Coachhouse Drv/Woodland Way is a bit deceptive. There are sections were it levels off a bit to only 5% I think. The last kick is above 20% is what makes it really hard. Harder than Old Belair Road in my opinion. My best time up there is 13:44 but that was 2 years ago. Haven't done Old Belair since then as well.

Sounds a bit like the Lynton Trail route to get to the top of Belair Rd. That has some damn steep sections in it !!!

Daccordi Rider wrote: [Best decent? I use Greenhill Rd mostly but I also live at the bottom so that works. Old Freeway is also good. Old Norton is the worst! The thing with decending is to relax and not grip too tight.

MichaelB wrote:Had a great ride yesterday with Daccordi Rider - met up with him and did most of his Alpine Challenge training route 9and he was gracious enough to keep it slow for us, but a great ride was had.

Thanks again for showing me the route, and will aim to do it one day.

Since taking 10 days off the bike before Xmas, have managed 314km with 4,952m of climbing in the past week. A PB by miles for me

MichaelB wrote:Had a great ride yesterday with Daccordi Rider - met up with him and did most of his Alpine Challenge training route 9and he was gracious enough to keep it slow for us, but a great ride was had.

Thanks again for showing me the route, and will aim to do it one day.

Since taking 10 days off the bike before Xmas, have managed 314km with 4,952m of climbing in the past week. A PB by miles for me

Daccordi Rider wrote: [Best decent? I use Greenhill Rd mostly but I also live at the bottom so that works. Old Freeway is also good. Old Norton is the worst! The thing with decending is to relax and not grip too tight.

+1

Old Belair is a hoot to descend as well

I used to ride up and down Old Belair or Windy Point going to school every day, in the 70's.

One memorable morning flying down the Old Belair on my Malvern Star Chopper I passed a Mini Moke with the side open and said "Nice day for a walk." The driver spun around so quick I am surprised he didn't drive off the edge.

Another time as I was coming into the first of the two tight bends my rear wheel locked up. After several tank slappers I landed and slid to a halt. I knew there was a car behind me so I reached out and dragged my bike over the top of myself to stop the car running it over.

Back in those days the Old Belair was a patchwork of covered pot holes and a drain that ran diagonally over the road just below the second of the two tight turns at the top.

PA wrote:I used to ride up and down Old Belair or Windy Point going to school every day, in the 70's.

One memorable morning flying down the Old Belair on my Malvern Star Chopper I passed a Mini Moke with the side open and said "Nice day for a walk." The driver spun around so quick I am surprised he didn't drive off the edge.

Another time as I was coming into the first of the two tight bends my rear wheel locked up. After several tank slappers I landed and slid to a halt. I knew there was a car behind me so I reached out and dragged my bike over the top of myself to stop the car running it over.

Back in those days the Old Belair was a patchwork of covered pot holes and a drain that ran diagonally over the road just below the second of the two tight turns at the top.

Oh the memories! Flying down Old Belair on my Dualie MTB on a damp morning. The last right hander before the cemetery was a just a bit too greasy and I drifted up over the kerb, onto the gravel. On the brakes, couple fishtails, off the brakes to get some control to shoot the 3 metre gap between fence and sign post, all at about 30kmh.

I went back the next day to survey the scene to find the 3 metre gap had shrunk to about 3 feet........

Knox is the right hander after the water storage tank. It gives some relief from the climb for a bit before heading up and around into some switchbacks, before coming to an intersection. Turn left and the road will take you back to coach.Great little loop if short on time. Enjoy.

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